Surfers Paradise RSL revamp by Ryan Global, Ingrams underway

The work to save the Surfers Paradise RSL has begun with the entire first floor bar, dining and TAB shifted upstairs to level two.

Surfers Paradise RSL club manager Jay Stopford standing in the new construction site at the Surfers Paradise RSL - all of its first floor is being gutted and redone in a $2m refurbishment - the bar, dining and TAB is moving temporarily up to the second level so it can continue trading. Picture: Jerad Williams

THE work to save the Surfers Paradise RSL has begun with the entire first floor bar, dining and TAB shifted upstairs to level two.

Work on a $2 million revamp aimed at reviving the ailing club of 50-plus years started today with 10 workers on site starting to gut parts of the premises.

Pictured at the Surfers Paradise RSL Club are, from left, president Ross Eastgate, Ryan Global founder Evan Ryan, a regular who has stepped in to save the venue, club manager Jay Stopford, Ryan Global’s Scott Ryan and Paul Ryan and Ingrams Australia director Grant Doran who is overseeing the revamp. Picture: Mike Batterham

REGULAR STEPS IN TO SAVE SURFERS PARADISE RSL

Club manager Jay Stopford said the venue remained open for business as per usual throughout the works expected to take until late May.

Surfers Paradise RSL club manager Jay Stopford pitches in with the revamp at the club which started this week - but it will continue trading throughout. Picture: Jerad Williams

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“The club is trading as normal but everything we do will just be upstairs. It’s all positive, we are looking forward to our new club.”

The redevelopment, which will preserve its RSL and focus on veteran welfare, is being overseen by Ingrams Australia.

Surfers Paradise RSL president Ross Eastgate and Ryan Global founder Evan Ryan toast the plan to overhaul the venue.

Ingrams is partnering with Ryan Global whose founder Evan Ryan stepped in with the rescue plan when the RSL faced closing its doors, the Bulletin revealed yesterday.

A Ryan Global entity shelled out $2m late last year to buy the building and is spending that again on the revamp.

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